A day after the national and global Hands Off protests – we were maybe 300 in Toronto – all the honks & waves & shouts in support were especially gratifying – I got round to writing these love letters.
Dear Meta,
I am writing to inform you that I have revised my retirement plans to eliminate all Meta assets from my portfolio. I am also winding down my use of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp and plan to close my accounts by year’s end. Mark Zuckerberg’s anticipatory obedience to the autocratic ambitions and lawless actions of the present Administration are shocking, shameful, and, sad to say, unsurprising. My divestment will mean little to you financially, of course, but as one of millions of like decisions, it may prick your corporate conscience.
Respectfully,
Christopher Patton
Dear Amazon,
I am writing to inform you that I have revised my retirement plans to eliminate all Amazon assets from my portfolio. I am also winding down my use of Amazon as a shopping site and plan to close my Prime account by year’s end. The anticipatory obedience of Jeff Bezos to the autocratic ambitions and lawless actions of the present Administration are shocking, shameful, and, sad to say, unsurprising. His heavy hand on the Washington Post is especially disappointing after his years affirming its editorial independence in his words and actions. My divestment will mean little to you financially, of course, but as one of millions of like decisions, it may prick your corporate conscience.
Respectfully,
Christopher Patton
Dear Tesla,
I am writing to inform you that I have revised my retirement plans to eliminate all Tesla assets from my portfolio. Elon Musk’s psychopathic rampage through a government whose rules and structures created the economy in which his companies can thrive is nothing short of appalling. I urge you to remove him from any position at Tesla involving management or oversight or requiring an iota of ethical judgement. My divestment will mean little to you financially, of course, but as one of millions of like decisions, it may prick your corporate conscience.
Respectfully,
Christopher Patton
The Art of Compost 